Sen. Reid’s Government-Run Health Plan STILL Requires a Monthly Abortion FeePosted by GOP Leader Press Office on December 19th, 2009
Follow @GOPLeader on Twitter for updates. Fixed it is not. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s (D-NV) latest health care “manager’s amendment” would STILL levy a new “abortion premium” fee on Americans under the Democrats’ health care plan. Just like the original 2,032-page, government-run health care plan from Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-CA) and the last version of Senator Reid’s 2,074-page bill, this latest 383-page amendment levies an abortion premium and does not fix the problem of government funds being used to subsidize elective abortions. Under Reid’s “manager’s amendment,” there is no prohibition on abortion coverage in federally subsidized plans participating in the Exchange. Instead the amendment includes layers of accounting gimmicks that demand that plans participating in the Exchange or the new government-run plan that will be managed by the Office of Personnel Management must establish “allocation accounts” when elective abortion is a covered benefit (p. 41). Everyone enrolled in these plans must pay a monthly abortion premium (p. 41, lines 5-8), and these funds will be used to pay for the elective abortion services. The Reid amendment directs insurance companies to assess the cost of elective abortion coverage (p. 43), and charge a minimum of $1 per enrollee per month (p. 43, lines 20-22). In short, the Reid bill continues to defy the will of the American people and contradict longstanding federal policy by providing federal subsidies to private health plans that cover elective abortions. The new language does include a “state opt-out” provision if a state passes a law to prohibit insurance coverage of abortion, but it’s a sham because it does nothing to prevent one state’s tax dollars from paying for elective abortions in other states. A majority of Americans believe that health care plans should not be mandated to provide elective abortion coverage, and a majority of Americans do not believe government health care plans should include abortion coverage. Currently, federal appropriations bills include language known as the Hyde Amendment that prohibits the use of federal funds to pay for elective abortions under the Medicare and Medicaid programs, while another provision, known as the Smith Amendment, prohibits federal funding of abortion under the federal employees’ health benefits plan. Under the Reid “manager’s amendment” the new health care plan that will mirror the federal employees’ plan and be managed by the Office of Personnel Management will NOT be subject to the Smith Amendment. Leader Reid’s latest health care proposal is an affront to the American people and drastically moves away from current policy. In a statement released by National Right to Life Committee legislative director Douglas Johnson said, “The new abortion language solves none of the fundamental abortion-related problems with the Senate bill, and it actually creates some new abortion-related problems.” The American people deserve more from their government than being forced to pay for abortion. The pro-life Stupak/Pitts amendment passed the House by a vote of 240 to 194, enjoying the overwhelming support of 176 Republicans and 64 Democrats. The Stupak/Pitts Amendment codifies current law by prohibiting federal funding of elective abortions under any government-run plan or plans available under the Exchange. The Reid plan ignores the will of a bipartisan majority of the House, and indeed the American people, by rejecting this bipartisan amendment. Health care reform should not be used as an opportunity to use federal funds to pay for elective abortions. Health reform should be an opportunity to protect human life – not end it – and the American people agree. House Republicans have offered a common-sense, responsible solution that would reduce health care costs and expand access while protecting the dignity of all human life. The Republican plan, available at HealthCare.GOP.gov, would codify the Hyde Amendment and prohibit all authorized and appropriated federal funds from being used to pay for abortion. And under the Republican plan, any health plan that includes abortion coverage may not receive federal funds. UPDATE: Here is a detailed critique of the new Reid abortion language from the National Right to Life committee. Dems’ Massive Spending Bill Overturns Longstanding Ban on Taxpayer-Funded Abortions in Washington, D.C.Posted by GOP Leader Press Office on December 10th, 2009
The House is slated to debate a massive new spending bill today, which on top of costing the American taxpayer $447 billion, will remove a long-standing ban on taxpayer-funded abortions in the nation’s capital. The Democrats’ legislation encompasses more than 2,500 pages, with its “explanatory statement.” And with control of both the executive and legislative branches, out-of-touch Washington Democrats sense an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to expand the availability of abortion. As Roll Call reported today,
This isn’t the first time out-of-touch Washington Democrats have attempted to reverse longstanding federal policy on abortion. Speaker Pelosi’s $1.3 trillion government takeover of health care sought to provide federal funding of abortion. Thanks to the efforts of Reps. Bart Stupak (D-MI) and Joe Pitts (R-PA), a bipartisan majority applied the principles of the Hyde Amendment to the Speaker’s government takeover of health care. Democrats, however, have been persistent in their drive to make American taxpayer money available to finance abortions. Not long after the House passed the Stupak-Pitts amendment, dozens of House Democrats were moving to strip the amendment out in the conference committee. And if that wasn’t bold enough for the pro-abortion wing of the Democratic Party, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s (D-NV) iteration of health care “reform” contains a requirement that all Americans pay a “monthly abortion fee.” It seems that at every turn, out-of-touch Washington Democrats are working to undermine the longstanding, bipartisan consensus that taxpayer funds should not be used to provide for abortions. The American people should rightly be outraged. Fact Check: Criticism of “Abortion Fee” Comes Up Short; Pro-Life Experts Back Boehner’s Concerns About Taxpayer-Funded AbortionPosted by GOP Leader Press Office on November 20th, 2009
When it comes to the issue of taxpayer funding for abortion, Democrats know their far-left special interest allies are pushing them to do something that 61 percent of the American public opposes - use taxpayer dollars to pay for ending innocent unborn human life. So instead of arguing the facts, Democrats are simply throwing up a smokescreen of misinformation and hoping the press keeps the American people in the dark. One story in this morning’s Congress Daily is a good example. Myth: The Congress Daily headline reads, “Boehner Attacks Fee Provision, But Claim Comes Up Short.” FACT: Nothing in the story supports such a declarative (and opinionated) headline. And Douglas Johnson of the National Right to Life Committee (the gold-standard when it comes to protecting the unborn) has said, “The Boehner piece is accurate. It is literally impossible for the public option to pay for abortions without using public funds, because all of the funds spent by the public option will be federal funds. A federal agency cannot spend anything except federal funds. Even the CBO document released with the Reid bill treats the ‘premiums’ as federal funds, because of course that is really what they are.” Myth: “Abortion-rights supporters say the section is actually a safeguard that makes sure that an insurance company always has enough strictly private money to cover any abortion services its enrollees claim” FACT: This is an obvious gimmick. Johnson explains, “This claims that a federal agency can pay for abortions without spending federal funds. The ‘premiums’ become what are in fact federal funds when the government takes them, and they are federal funds when the government spends them on abortions, whatever contrived label may be slapped over them in the bill. Even the CBO document released with the Reid bill treats the ‘premiums’ as federal funds, as we read it.” Pro-life Democratic Rep. Bart Stupak agreed that Reid’s language falls short, saying, among other things, “it would mandate abortion coverage for the first time in history.” Myth: Congress Daily reported, “The provision requires that companies calculate the actuarial value of a plan’s abortion coverage and put at least that much private money - collected from individual premiums instead of government subsidies or tax credits - into a separate account. Abortion claims must be paid from this separate account, and companies ‘may not estimate such a cost at less than $1 per enrollee, per month.’ Boehner pointed to that section as proof of the fee. But the provision doesn’t dictate coverage requirements, which would affect premiums.” FACT: This argument betrays a basic ignorance of health care financing. The focus on “coverage requirements” is bizarre, considering that a number of factors, including federal mandates like the abortion fee, increase premiums. Coverage is always paid for by some kind of premium (or direct federal funding), not by pots of gold found at the end of rainbows. Sen. Reid’s Government-Run Health Plan Requires a Monthly Abortion FeePosted by GOP Leader Press Office on November 19th, 2009
Follow @GOPLeader on Twitter for updates. Just like the original 2,032-page, government-run health care plan from Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-CA), Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s (D-NV) massive, 2,074-page bill would levy a new “abortion premium” fee on Americans in the government-run plan. Beginning on line 7, p. 118, section 1303 under “Voluntary Choice of Coverage of Abortion Services” the Health and Human Services Secretary is given the authority to determine when abortion is allowed under the government-run health plan. Leader Reid’s plan also requires that at least one insurance plan offered in the Exchange covers abortions (line 13, p. 120). What is even more alarming is that a monthly abortion premium will be charged of all enrollees in the government-run health plan. It’s right there beginning on line 11, page 122, section 1303, under “Actuarial Value of Optional Service Coverage.” The premium will be paid into a U.S. Treasury account – and these federal funds will be used to pay for the abortion services. Section 1303(a)(2)(C) describes the process in which the Health Benefits Commissioner is to assess the monthly premiums that will be used to pay for elective abortions under the government-run health plan and for those who are given an affordability credit to purchase insurance coverage that includes abortion through the Exchange. The Commissioner must charge at a minimum $1 per enrollee per month. A majority of Americans believe that health care plans should not be mandated to provide elective abortion coverage, and a majority of Americans do not believe government health care plans should include abortion coverage. Currently, federal appropriations bills include language known as the Hyde Amendment that prohibits the use of federal funds to pay for elective abortions under the Medicare and Medicaid programs, while another provision, known as the Smith Amendment, prohibits federal funding of abortion under the federal employees’ health benefits plan. Leader Reid’s 2,074-page health care monstrosity is an affront to the American people and drastically moves away from current policy. The National Right to Life Committee has called the Reid abortion language “completely unacceptable.” The American people deserve more from their government than being forced to pay for abortion. The pro-life Stupak/Pitts amendment passed the House by a vote of 240 to 194, enjoying the overwhelming support of 176 Republicans and 64 Democrats. The Stupak/Pitts Amendment codifies current law by prohibiting federal funding of elective abortions under any government-run plan or plans available under the Exchange. The Reid plan ignores the will of a bipartisan majority of the House, and indeed the American people, by rejecting this bipartisan amendment. Health care reform should not be used as an opportunity to use federal funds to pay for elective abortions. Health reform should be an opportunity to protect human life – not end it – and the American people agree. House Republicans have offered a common-sense, responsible solution that would reduce health care costs and expand access while protecting the dignity of all human life. The Republican plan, available at HealthCare.GOP.gov, would codify the Hyde Amendment and prohibit all authorized and appropriated federal funds from being used to pay for abortion. And under the Republican plan, any health plan that includes abortion coverage may not receive federal funds. UPDATED: Polls show an overwhelming majority of Americans reject government funding of abortion. Democrats Already Moving to Ditch Pro-Life Amendment to Pelosi’s Government Takeover of Health CarePosted by Kevin Boland on November 9th, 2009
Appearing on MSNBC today, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) declared: “I am confident that the Stupak amendment will not be in the final version of the bill - we will be working very hard to eliminate it.” The Stupak Amendment - authored by Rep. Bart Stupak (D-MI) - was adopted by a bipartisan majority (240-194-1) and would prohibit federal funding of abortions under Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-CA) government takeover of health care. Leader Boehner and other House Republican Leaders commented at the time:
That’s why during debate on Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s bill to impose a government takeover of health care, Leader Boehner challenged the three Democratic committee chairmen with jurisdiction over the bill to pledge that they will vote to keep a pro-life amendment in the bill during House-Senate conference negotiations. Disappointingly, all three Democratic chairmen refused to guarantee they support keeping the Stupak language in the final conference committee bill. Leader Boehner’s suspicions about Democratic leaders were confirmed today not just by Rep. Wasserman Schultz’s comments, but by a letter signed by 41 House Democrats threatening to vote against Speaker Pelosi’s government takeover of health care if it contains Rep. Stupak’s pro-life amendment. Will Democratic House Leaders, from Speaker Pelosi on down to the three Committee Chairmen with jurisdiction over health care - Reps. Henry Waxman (D-CA), Charlie Rangel (D-NY), George Miller (D-CA) - stand up for the pro-life amendment in conference committee, or will they cave to the pro-abortion Democrats? Judging by their answers on Saturday, every American who supports the long standing federal policy of barring federal tax dollars from supporting abortion should be worried about what Democrats have in store. Democratic Chairmen Won’t Guarantee They’ll Support Keeping Pro-Life Language in Final Health Care BillPosted by Kevin Boland on November 7th, 2009
On the House floor today during debate on Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s bill to impose a government takeover of health care, Republican Leader John Boehner has challenged the three Democratic committee chairmen with jurisdiction over the bill to pledge that they will vote to keep a pro-life amendment authored by Rep. Bart Stupak (D-MI) in the bill during House-Senate conference negotiations if the Pelosi bill is approved today with the Stupak amendment attached. Disappointingly, all three Democratic chairmen have refused to guarantee they will oppose efforts to strip the Stupak language from the bill in conference committee. As Robert Costa observed accurately this evening in a post entitled “Three Strikes” on National Review’s “Doctor! Doctor!” blog, “Now the GOP strategy is clear: make the Dems never forget Stupak if PelosiCare passes tonight.” Here is a chronology of Leader Boehner’s exchanges with the Democratic committee chairmen throughout the day: Chairman Rangel Won’t Guarantee That Speaker Pelosi’s Final Health Bill Will Include Stupak Anti-Abortion LanguagePosted by Kevin Boland on November 7th, 2009
In an exchange during debate over in Speaker Pelosi’s government takeover of health care, House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) asked Ways and Means Chairman Charlie Rangel (D-NY) if he would guarantee abortion opponents that Rep. Bart Stupak’s (D-MI) amendment barring federal funding of abortion will not be jettisoned from the bill by Democratic congressional leaders in House-Senate conference negotiations if the Pelosi bill passes the House with the Stupak amendment attached. The answer was similar to the one Chairman Waxman gave earlier. Chairman Rangel said: “We have no idea that you would expect that a member…that you expect me on this floor in front of all my friends and colleagues to guarantee you anything.” Video and a transcript of the exchange follow: BOEHNER: “One of the issues in the underlying bill allows for taxpayer funding of abortions. And the leadership of the Majority party did see fit to allow Mr. Stupak from Michigan and others to offer an Amendment that would restore what has been a 30-year effort that no taxpayer funds should be used And if that amendment were to pass, Mr. Rangel, do I have your guarantee that when this bill comes back from committee that if the house does, in fact, pass the Stupak language outlawing taxpayer funding for abortion, will you guarantee me that it will be in the bill?” RANGEL: “You have been here long enough to truly understand how our system works. As soon as we pass this bill, then we would expect the Democratic-controlled senate to pass their bill….We have no idea that you would expect that a member…that you expect me on this floor in front of all my friends and colleagues to guarantee you anything.” Chairman Waxman Won’t Guarantee That Speaker Pelosi’s Final Health Bill Will Include Stupak Anti-Abortion LanguagePosted by Kevin Boland on November 7th, 2009
In an exchange this afternoon on the House Floor, House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) asked Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman (D-CA) if he would guarantee abortion opponents that Rep. Bart Stupak’s (D-MI) amendment barring federal funding of abortion in Speaker Pelosi’s government takeover of health care will not be jettisoned from the bill by Democratic congressional leaders in House-Senate conference negotiations if the Pelosi bill passes the House with the Stupak amendment attached. Chairman Waxman’s answer? “No guarantee can be made by me or any other Member at this time.” Video and a transcript of the exchange follow: BOEHNER: “I want to ask the chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, Mr. Waxman, whether he can guarantee me that if the House does vote in fact for Mr. Stupak’s amendment, the gentleman will guarantee me that when this bill comes back from conference that that language will remain in the bill?” WAXMAN: “As the gentleman well knows, the decision is not up to one person. It will be up to the conferees and the conferees will have to be meeting with the Senate conferees in going over a number of positions but if this amendment is adopted by the House, it will be the House position as we go into conference. We will have to discuss it further. We will have to discuss it further and then see what the result is. No guarantee can be made by me or any other Member at this time.” Speaker Pelosi’s Government-Run Health Plan Will Require a Monthly Abortion PremiumPosted by GOP Leader Press Office on November 5th, 2009
Follow @GOPLeader on Twitter for updates. Health care reform should not be used as an opportunity to use federal funds to pay for elective abortions. Health reform should be an opportunity to protect human life - not end it. Unfortunately, Speaker Pelosi’s 2,032-page government takeover of health care does just that. On line 17, p. 110, section 222 under “Abortions for which Public Funding is Allowed” the Health and Human Services Secretary is given the authority to determine when abortion is allowed under the government-run plan. The Speaker’s plan also requires that at least one insurance plan offered in the Exchange covers abortions. What is even more alarming is that a monthly abortion premium will be charged of all enrollees in the government-run plan. It’s right there on line 16, page 96, section 213, under “Insurance Rating Rules.” The premium will be paid into a U.S. Treasury account - and these federal funds will be used to pay for the abortion services. Section 213 describes the process in which the Health Benefits Commissioner is to assess the monthly premiums that will be used to pay for elective abortions under the government-run plan. The Commissioner must charge at a minimum $1 per enrollee per month. A majority of Americans believe that health care plans should not be mandated to provide elective abortion coverage, and a majority of Americans do not believe government health care plans should include abortion coverage. Currently, federal appropriations bills include language known as the Hyde Amendment that prohibits the use of federal funds to pay for elective abortions under the Medicare and Medicaid programs, while another provision, known as the Smith Amendment, prohibits federal funding of abortion under the federal employees’ health benefits plan. Speaker Pelosi’s 2,032-page health care monstrosity is an affront to the American people and drastically moves away from current policy. The American people deserve more from their government than being forced to pay for abortion. House Republicans are offering a common-sense, responsible solution that would reduce health care costs and expand access while protecting the dignity of all human life. The Republican plan, available at HealthCare.GOP.gov, would codify the Hyde Amendment and prohibit all authorized and appropriated federal funds from being used to pay for abortion. And under the Republican plan, any health plan that includes abortion coverage may not receive federal funds. President’s Move on Embryonic Stem Cells Divides and Distracts AmericaPosted by Kevin Boland on March 10th, 2009
Yesterday, President Obama reversed a long standing executive order that barred federal funding of embryonic stem cell research. The President’s decision opened the door to federal support for the divisive and destructive practice of embryonic stem cell research - a move which has distracted and divided America at a time when a bipartisan and unified nationwide focus on the economy is desperately needed. House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) stated that the president’s decision to use federal money to support embryonic stem cell research “runs counter to President Obama’s promise to be a president for all Americans.” Leader Boehner continued: “Creating and preserving jobs should be our No. 1 priority right now. . .Checking the boxes on the list of liberal special interest groups’ priorities simply makes it harder to get the type of bipartisan cooperation we need to get our economy back on track.” The President’s action has divided the nation and caused a needless distraction at a time when American families and small businesses are looking desperately to Washington for bipartisan solutions on the economy. Reaction from around the country: New York Daily News: “President Obama reverses Bush’s stem cell research ban; debate rages along abortion fault lines” (emphasis added)
Ryan T. Anderson in The Weekly Standard: “Perpetuating a Needless Stem-Cell War” (emphasis added)
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